Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord, a 3D remake of the original 1981 RPG, has received the Grammy Award for Best Score Soundtrack for Video Games and Other Interactive Media. Composer Winifred Phillips expressed her gratitude to Digital Eclipse and the audience for their support, stating the recognition "means so much."
The game, a direct adaptation of the original's code, even allows players to view the original Apple II interface. Its significance in gaming history is undeniable, as the original Wizardry is considered the first party-based video game RPG, inspiring classics like Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest.
Phillips' win was a significant achievement, surpassing strong competition from nominees including Wilbert Roget, II (Star Wars Outlaws), John Paesano (Marvel's Spider-Man 2), Bear McCreary (God of War Ragnarök: Valhalla), and Pinar Toprak (Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora). In a post-award interview, Phillips described her surprise and deep respect for her fellow nominees.
She highlighted the unique nature of video game music composition, emphasizing the collaborative aspect of creating music that dynamically interacts with player experiences and choices. This interactive element, she explained, fosters a special connection between composer and player.
Phillips joins a prestigious list of previous winners, including Stephanie Economou (Assassin's Creed Valhalla) and Stephen Barton and Gordy Haab (Star Wars Jedi: Survivor). The award marks a continued evolution of recognition for video game music, building upon the groundbreaking win of Christopher Tin's "Baba Yetu" (Civilization 4) in 2011.
